Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD has announced a package of enhanced renewable energy and retrofit grants designed to help households and businesses reduce energy costs, lower dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen Ireland’s energy security.
Amongst the measures announced on September 29th include a new €2,000 boiler scrappage scheme, a battery grant and enhanced supports for households at risk of energy poverty.
The package, developed through the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT), includes a range of improvements to the schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that will make it easier and more affordable for households and businesses to improve energy efficiency, install renewable energy technologies, and switch to cleaner heating systems.
Key measures which come into effect from October 6th 2026 include are:
- Solar PV and battery will be offered as standard under fully funded Warmer Homes Scheme.
- More generous grants for solar, attic and cavity insulation for certain Department of Social Protection recipients and homes in HAP, RAS, and RASP tenancies.
- More favourable eligibility criteria for solar PV and solar thermal.
- Fossil fuel boiler scrappage support of €2,000 (effective immediately for eligible applicants).
- Enhanced supports for businesses that will save thousands in energy costs.
These measures are expected to deliver meaningful and long-lasting reductions in energy costs for households and businesses. Depending on the measure installed and the characteristics of the property, households could benefit from savings of up to €878 per year.
These grants are on top of the range of existing supports for energy upgrades including insulation, window and door replacements and heat pumps which when installed as part of whole home upgrade can save homeowners up to €1,120 per year.
Businesses availing of enhanced solar PV supports could reduce annual energy costs by up to €300,000 per annum, with significant energy savings also possible with enhanced solar thermal and heat pump grants.
In relation to the boiler scrappage scheme, all eligible homeowners with a heat pump application already in progress will receive an additional boiler scrappage grant of €2,000. The uplift will be added automatically for eligible homeowners. Full terms and conditions, and details in relation to eligibility, will be available in due course.
Overview of expanded SEAI residential measures
| Measure | Proposed grant amount | Household savings of up to €/p.a |
| Deliver fully-funded solar PV (up to 4kWp) and battery (5kWh) systems under the Warmer Homes Scheme. | Fully funded in WHS | €878 |
| Introduce grants for Solar PV (up to 4kWp) and battery (5kWh) systems for eligible homeowners in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments*. | Up to €9,000 |
€878 |
| Introduce a pilot scheme leveraging the existing Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) Dublin Pilot to provide substantial grants for solar PV (up to 4kWp) and battery (5kWh) systems for homes in these RAS tenancies. | Up to €9,000 | €878 |
| Expand the offering under the Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme (SPVMV) to provide up to provide 4kWp SPV systems with 5kWh battery storage. | Fully funded | €878 |
| Introduce grants for attic insulation for homes in Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)/RAS tenancies. | €1,400 - €2,500 depending on the house type | €225 |
| Introduce grants for cavity wall insulation for homes in HAP/RAS tenancies. | €900 - €2,300 depending on the house type | €562 |
| Introduce a boiler scrappage scheme for fossil fuel heating systems (in houses built pre-2021) to further promote the adoption of heat pump and other renewable heating systems | €2,000 | €185 |
| Introduce a grant for home battery energy storage systems. | €600 | €137** |
| Extend eligibility of solar PV and solar thermal grants to houses built and occupied pre-2025. | Same as existing SPV and solar thermal grant (€1,800) | €741** |
| Measure | Proposed grant rate | Estimated savings (for an average installation) |
| Temporary increase in the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant Scheme*** | 45% of eligible costs | Approximately €12,000 per annum for approximately 1,250 businesses. |
| Increased grant aid for heat pumps under the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme | 45% of eligible costs | Approximately €3,500 |
| Increased grant aid for solar thermal installation under the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme | 45% of eligible costs | Approximately €3,500 |
* Qualifying DSP payments:
- Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme
- Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and have child under seven years of age
- Working Family Payment
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Carers Allowance and live with the person you are caring for
- Disability Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years of age
** Household savings where a battery is installed alongside a 4kWp Solar PV system can be in the region of up to €878 per year.
*** The NDMG Scheme offers a commoditised grant (fixed value of support per kWh) of solar PV installed. It is proposed to temporarily increase grant rates for a period of 9 months for NDMG from circa 23% of the cost of installation to 45% of eligible costs.
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